It doesn't seem so long ago that Clint Dempsey's naughty little shirt pull propelled him so usefully past a Ghanaian defender that 2006 day in Nuremburg.

It was quintessential Dempsey – or what we would soon know as "quintessential Dempsey." Seeing DaMarcus Beasley had created a midfield turnover, using those instincts to recognize the moment, Dempsey's savvy shirt pull provided him the one-step head start he needed, a small edge that made a huge difference as he met Beasley's curling ball.

Welcome to part two of a two-part series interview with John Ellinger. Ellinger is most-known for coaching the U.S. Under-17 National Team from 1997-2005, which included the memorable run made by the 1999 squad at the World Championships. The team included the likes of Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley and Kyle.

Wenger on the need for "winning mentality." Seattle advances to Western Conference final. US roster for Colombia and Ireland friendlies released. Morocco disqualified from ACN after refusing to host 2015 tournament over Ebola fears.

USA World Cup review: Stars & Stripes do their nation proud... those that care anyway! - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It's no great secret that Americans aren't the world's biggest football fans... well, technically that isboth a truth and a lie. The US are by far the world's biggest fans of what they refer to as football.

USA 2-2 Portugal:Massive drama for USA just seconds away from the Round of 16 - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Coming into this World Cup, no-one would have knocked the USA for failing to make it through this 'Group of Death'. However, 2-1 up against one of the strongest teams in the world,they had the qualification dream stolen from them in the very dying embers of the game.

SAN FRANCISCO The U.S. Men's National Team is ready to play the first game of the pre-World Cup send-off series on Tuesday night and there is still some question as to just what starting lineup Jurgen Klinsmann will deploy at the World Cup.

Plenty can change between now and the opening match against Ghana on June 16, but the team's open training session on Monday evening seemed to shed some light on the starting lineup would could see on Tuesday.

Notes from the weekly press conference. Berry on his fight to get back into the starting XI. MLS and NWSL midweek results. World Cup news from the USMNT training camp and Brazil. No sex for Mexico at WC. More.

DaMarcus Beasley's role for the U.S. Men's National team is quite clear. Entering the pre-World Cup camp, the 31-year-old Beasley is a veteran whose presence in defense is looked at to be a calming influence amongst a generally inexperienced back-line.

However, his role on the club level is now anything but certain, as Beasley confirmed Wednesday that he is looking to move away from his current club, Puebla.

In which Derek Stowers talks to us about DaMarcus Beasley, the Houston defense, and Dom Kinnear

D.C. United takes on the Houston Dynamo on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium. To preview the game, we got in touch with Derek Stowers from Dynamo Theory to get the lowdown on all things Orange (but not Oranje).

The Houston Dynamo's trade to acquire the top spot in the MLS Allocation Order figured to mean the arrival of a U.S. Men's National Team player, and it didn't take long to find out that the player in question was none other than veteran DaMarcus Beasley.

The Dynamo announced the signing of Beasley on Tuesday afternoon, just a few hours after completing the deal that sent midfielder Warren Creavalle to Toronto FC in exchange for the top spot in the MLS Allocation Order, which gave Houston the opportunity to sign Beasley.

Valdes agent disappointed defender won't be playing in Copa Libertadores. Conor Casey, Ray Gaddis, and Zac MacMath get Team of the Week nods. Reading United postseason campaign begins tonight. More news.

Following the USMNT's 2-1 victory over Ghana we look at the playmakers and rank their performances on the evening.

Tim Howard, 9: The US goalkeeper was at the top of his game all night long, and while he was forced into just two big saves, Howard's presence was immense. No one on the entire squad inspires more confidence.

U.S. Soccer released 23 videos featuring each man on the USMNT's final squad heading to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. While the videos are short, they're powerful and help give insight into the players we see on the pitch representing the United States. Here are the 23 listed below in alphabetical order.

Long-time United States Men's National Team great DaMarcus Beasley has announced his retirement from the team. Beasley, 32, made the announcement using his official Instagram account. In the social media post, Beasley stated, "Where do I start? Honestly I never thought this day would come, representing my country has been the greatest thing I've done in my career.

Long-time United States Men's National Team great DaMarcus Beasley has announced his retirement from the team. Beasley, 32, made the announcement using his official Instagram account. In the social media post, Beasley stated, "Where do I start? Honestly I never thought this day would come, representing my country has been the greatest thing I've done in my career.

With the shock of the Landon Donovan omission starting to die down, it is time to turn our focus to the team as a whole as they took on Azerbaijan in the first match of their sendoff series. One thing that the Donovan saga accomplished was that it overshadowed one of the glaring holes in this team, an inexperienced defense, that hasn't played together much.

Jurgen Klinnsmann has named his 23 man squad for next months World Cup Final's in Brazil and has all but divided the Nation following the exclusion of record goalscorer Landon Donovan who has been the poster boy of Soccer in America for over a decade!

It's a major gamble from the former World Cup winner given his home Country Germany, Portugal and Ghana make up Group G with both European sides Favourites to advance from the Group!

The Rest

Defender DaMarcus Beasley and midfielder Brad Davis of the Dynamo have been named to the 35-man provisional roster for the U.S. team in the upcoming Gold Cup. Beasley, who retired from international competition in December 2014 with 121 international caps, will be vying for a spot in his fifth Gold Cup.

A Washington Post report earlier in the day regarding DaMarcus Beasley negotiating a return to MLS via a DP contract set off the social media speculation merry-go-round with some fans hoping to see the former Fire star back in Chicago. Beasley enjoyed an excellent run with the USMNT at the World Cup as a left back but other reports suggest he also has offers to continue playing in LigaMX, where he last was seen with Puebla.

Yep. I'm pretty sure Mr. John Anthony Brooks celebrated the same way we all were feeling after that goal. Basically DID THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN OMG I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION THIS IS UNREAL SOMEONE HOLD ME AND VERIFY THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY REAL LIFE AHHHHHHHHH essentially.